Health equity focus of National Minority Health Month

April 15, 2016The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health has designated April as National Minority Health Month, and has released information and events related to the topic.

Factors including income, ZIP code, place of birth, education and income are linked to health inequities and disparities among racial and ethnic minorities in America, according to the department.

Non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics and American Indians and Alaska Natives have the poorest oral health of any racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. Furthermore, periodontal disease is greatest among Mexican Americans and Non-hispanic blacks, and those with less than a high school education.

On April 14, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, the Children’s Dental Health Project, the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future, America’s ToothFairy and Canada’s ToothFairy joined together for a “social media storm” to promote messages on Twitter and Facebook addressing oral health equity.